In North Carolina, public school classes end on June 11th for the summer, but in Emerald Isle, summer comes early, before Memorial Day, when we see many out-of-state license plates. With summer around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to tell you about several unique and exciting things to do around Emerald Isle, Bogue Banks, and the Crystal Coast in June.
First, the weather is absolutely gorgeous in June. Daily high temperatures hover around 85°F, rarely falling below 75°F or exceeding 90°F. Daily low temperatures average 68°F, rarely falling below 59°F or exceeding 78°F. Over the course of June in Emerald Isle, the length of the day is essentially constant. The shortest day of the month is June 1, with 14 hours 20 minutes of daylight, and the longest is June 20, with 14 hours and 29 minutes of daylight. The chance that a given day in June will be muggy in Emerald Isle rises from 60% to 87% over the course of the month. But with that increased humidity is a fairly constant breeze averaging about 10 miles per hour throughout the month. That breeze originates offshore, so it has a noticeable cooling effect. The average surface water temperature in Emerald Isle is increasing during June, rising by 5°F, from 74°F to 80°F, over the course of the month.
Second, the comfortable and refreshing water temperatures are a haven for water sports enthusiasts. In addition to bathers and body surfers, the number of surfers increases noticeably, as does the number of upright and prone paddle boarders. You can usually find me on my inflatable prone paddleboard beginning the third week in May. I prefer prone to upright because I like being closer to the water, and being closer to the water means I am not as impacted or dependent on the wind as upright paddleboarders are. It's a thrilling and enjoyable experience!
Third, other water options beyond the ocean abound in June. For the young and adventurous, the Salty Pirate Water Park in Emerald Isle is open seven days from 10 AM to 8 PM. The only park on the Crystal Coast, it has six large slides and a 3-level Kid Zone. The Emerald Isle Boat Ramp is really nice and has restrooms. Plenty of room for large boats. It can be crowded on weekends, but it is easy to load and unload without the current playing havoc with your boat. However, it can be a bit tricky getting out to the ICW from there for Newbies, I’ve seen and known people to run aground, especially at low tide. The canal is rather narrow, so you gotta pay attention to the buoys. This boat ramp has a large playground in the back corner, grassy picnic areas, and benches. There is a boardwalk path from the playground to a long dock out on the sound. It is a perfect spot for fishing, and with built-in seating, it is great for watching sunrises and sunsets, and picture taking. The parking lot is huge and has ample parking for many vehicles. Cedar Street and Coast Guard Road docks offer easy access to Bogue Sound if you want to kayak or windsurf. Of course, the biggest water sport in June here along the Crystal Coast is the Big Rock Marlin Tournament, held from June 7th to 16th. Among the country's largest and oldest sport fishing tournaments, The Big Rock calls avid deep-sea fishermen to North Carolina’s Crystal Coast for a full week of angling and community celebration. Over the course of the last half-century, many boats have docked here, many tourists have gathered here, many fish have been hooked and landed, and many dollars have been collected for charities.
Fourth, take a break from the water and immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of one of several parks in Emerald Isle. The Emerald Woods Park on Coast Guard Road and the McClean-Spell Park behind the Police Station offer a glimpse of what this island looked like 60 years ago before the first house was built. The paths are rugged and hilly, but the wildlife and the serenity are worth the effort. A more ‘civilized’ park is Blue Heron behind the Rec Center on Emerald Drive. Here are tennis and pickleball courts for adults, slides and swings for children, and basketball courts. OR, get on a bicycle and pedal the Emerald Bike Path for part or all of the 13 miles from the town’s eastern border to the Point at its western terminus. It's a perfect way to unwind and enjoy the island's natural beauty.
Fifth, there is the beach, which is why everyone comes to Emerald Isle. Here, you can kick back and people-watch or enjoy a cold beverage and a good book. My latest work of fiction is “Ramble On, Rose,” and it is available on Amazon.com in paper and Kindle versions. In this book, Jerzy Rose is searching. He's searching for love, for purpose, and he's doing both against a backdrop of the Vietnam War, Woodstock, and a cultural shift America is undergoing with the ascendency of President Richard Nixon. He escaped a blue-collar upbringing to gain acceptance to an Ivy League school. Now, a few days after returning home after his first year, he learns that his girlfriend has found another lover, and the town is not taking kindly to his entering a peace float in the upcoming Memorial Day parade. Fortunately, it gets worse. A friend comes home from Vietnam, a paraplegic, and Jerzy is arrested not once but twice. These and other wake-up calls force Jerzy to examine his choices, reveal certain truths about his past, and propel him into the future. Write a nice review and show it to me at my Flip Flops Donut Shop and I’ll give you a half dozen donuts free for your efforts. This shameless bribe is a win-win for both of us.
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